In the quiet groves of the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary, a site synonymous with the ethereal beauty of the Western monarch butterfly’s winter migration, a grim discovery in January 2024 sent shockwaves through the conservation community. Hundreds of butterflies were found dead or in the throes of death, their vibrant…
In a historic move that signals a seismic shift in American urban development and climate policy, New York has officially become the first state in the United States to mandate that most new building construction be entirely electric. This landmark policy, which effectively bans the installation of fossil-fuel infrastructure—such as…
By Olivia Rosane and Cristen Hemingway Jaynes As the world scrambles to decarbonize the global economy, attention has increasingly shifted from carbon dioxide (CO2) to a more volatile and potent actor: methane. While CO2 often dominates the headlines due to its longevity in the atmosphere, methane is the climate’s "accelerator."…
In a landmark move for climate policy and urban planning, New York has officially become the first state in the United States to mandate that new building construction be entirely electric. This historic shift, finalized in late July 2025, marks the end of fossil fuel infrastructure in most new residential…
By Olivia Rosane and Cristen Hemingway Jaynes Methane is a silent, invisible force—found in the depths of wetlands, the digestive tracts of livestock, and the leaking infrastructure of our fossil fuel economy. While carbon dioxide (CO2) often dominates the climate conversation, methane has quietly become the second most significant contributor…
